asked the Minister for Lands when the Land Commission intend to divide the O'Grady estate, Peake, Barnaderg, Tuam, County Galway.

Preliminary work on the preparation of a resale scheme for these lands will be undertaken within the next few months, the aim being to have the lands ready for allotment in the coming spring.

What is the size of this estate, if we may call it that?

It comprises 37 acres.

I wonder what is Deputy O'Donovan's interest in this matter?

The term "estate" suggests to me a holding of some size and not merely one of a few acres. If the Land Commission are engaged in dividing parcels of land of this size, the people's money is being wasted.

A farm of 37 acres might be very valuable to the people who would get it.

Of course anybody would like to be given a present but it is a waste of money to continue dividing these small parcels of land. It is an absurdity.

It is not.

No present is being given to anyone. People who get land pay rent to the Land Commission for it.